Attorn



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

P. REINHOLD. Thermal Motor. No. 231,449. Patented Aug. 24,1880.

if N'I'OR WITNESSES g} INVE' ATTORN 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. P. REINHOLD.

Thermal Motor. No. 231,449. Patented Aug. 24,1880.

WITNESSES- Unrrso STATES PATENT ()rmcs.

FRANZ REINHOIAD, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF, ALBERT KAPS,AND JOHN PETZ, OF SAME PLACE.

THERMAL -MOTOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 231,449, dated August24, 1880.

Application filed January 17, 1880.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANZ REINHOLD, of Detroit, county of Wayne, Stateof Michigan, have invented a new and useful Improvement in ThermalMotors; and I declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the same, such as will enable others skilled in the artto which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to theaccompanying r0 drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to a new motor; and it consists in the combinationsof devices and appliances as hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of a machine embodying myinvention, with the hot and cold air fines removed so as to illustratethe operative mechanism. Fig. 2 is an end view of the same, adjacent tothat side from which the power is applied to operate other machinery.Fig.3 is a longitudinal section containing the axle. Fig. 4 isacrosssection at right angles to the axle.

This invention is designed to derive a motive power from the expansionand contraction of metallic rods or straps as the same are alternatelyacted upon by heat and cold; and in embodying my invention I contemplatesuch a construction as shall, by the action of the heat and theexpansion and contraction of the metal, cause the straps or rods ofmetal to be automatically brought alternately within the influence ofthe hot and cold media by a revolving motion about an axis.

A is a hollow cylindricaldrum. A are its heads. B represents straps,rods, or bars of metal, which are attached rigidly to one head and passloosely through the other head, while B represents similar straps, rods,or bars at- 0 tached rigidly to the other head and passing freelythrough the first. The free end ofeach of the bars B passes through orloosely embraces a lever, 0, just in advance of its fulcrum c, and isprovided with a cross-head and nut, 0 0 or equivalent.

A spring, D, is interposed between the long end of the lever and thecylinder-head. Adjacent to the end of the long arm of the lever is aspring-catch, E, which engages the end of the lever and holds itback-when it has been forced back by the contraction of the metal rod13.

On the axle is fixed a worm-gear wheel, F, which meshes with a worm,F,on the powershaft G.

G is a fly-wheel, and G a pulley, from which the power may becommunicated to and drive other machinery.

A crank, G is, by a pituian, II, connected with the upper end of thelever or walkingbeam I, which latter, being pivoted at z, is at itsother end, by a connecting-rod, J, united to the lower end of a similarlever or walkingbcam, I.

From the upper ends of the levers I and l arms 1 project inwardiowardthe cylinderheads, so as to receive the thrusts of the levers B and B asthey are respectively released from their catches and impelled outwardby their respective springs.

Stationary cams K are provided, which, as the cylinder A revolves, serveto lift the spring-catches and release the levers.

Any suitable furnace and cold-air mechanism may be employed foralternately heating and cooling the rods or straps; and to this end Mmay be a furnace and M its smoke-flue, while N may be a cold-air flue,within which lines the straps or rods may be caused to revolve insuccession, as shown, becoming first 8o heated and expanded in the hotflue, and then cooled and contracted in the cold flue.

The operation of the device will now be understood. We will suppose therods to be cool and in their contracted state, in which condition allthe levers I I will, by contraction of the rods, have been brought backand engaged each with its own spring-catch. Now, when a fire is startedin the furnace M the heat will expand all those bars or straps in thehot flue, 0 and if the cylinder is now started to revolve by hand thefirst spring-catch that comes in contact with the cam K will bedisengaged from its lever O, the lever will be forced outward by itsspring, and the power of the spring 5 will force the lever orwalking-beam I backward, and this, through the connecting-rod J, willactuate the lever I, pitman H, and driving-pulley. At the same time theworm-gear will revolvethe cylinder far enough to cause the next adjacentlever, B, to be disengaged by the cam K, and its spring will force thelevers I I back to their first position, and at the same time exert theforce of the spring to further actuate the driving-pulley and alsorevolve the cylinder A. As these rods or straps come successively intothe cold flue they are contracted, and exert their almost irresistibleforce in retracting the springs and again engaging the levers with theirrespective catches.

This operation being continuous, the machinery is kept in motion, thebars are automatically brought in and out from the heating medium, and,with a small consumption of fuel, powerful springs are, by contractionof the metal rods, rapidly retracted and released, so as to exert theirforce in impelling the machinery. In this way, with a small heat a veryconsiderable power may be developed and applied.

The heating medium may be hot air or a hot liquid, and so the coolingmedium may be either cold air or a cold liquid. The mechanism forcausing the cylinder to revolve may also be automatic, as shown, or thatpower may be exerted by some external means.

The cylinderA may be made of light material and open, so as to coolquickly.

The bars or straps 1nay,if necessary, be pro vided with openings throughthem, so that the draft may not be impeded, and so that the bars may beheated rapidly while in the flue, although removed some distance fromthe fire in the furnace.

What I claim is 1. A thermal motor consisting of a series of metallicrods, bars, or straps so arranged with respect to power-springs andalternate heating and cooling media, substantially as described, as bythe expansion or contraction of the metal bars, rods, or straps toretract the springs. and mechanism for releasing the springs andapplying their elasticity in the propulsion of machinery, substantiallyas set forth.

2. The combination, in a thermal motor, of

a series of rods, bars, or straps arranged about an axle,heating andcooling media, and mechanism whereby the expansion and contraction ofthe metal cause the bars, straps, or rods to be brought automaticallyand successively in the heating and cooling media alternately, substantially as and for the purposes described.

3. The combination of metal rod or strapB with the lever, its spring andcatch, so that by the contraction of the rod or strap the lever is drawnback and the spring retracted and held until relieved at the properpoint to exert its force in propelling the drive-pulley, substantiall yas and for the purposes described.

'4. The combination of the rod or strap B with its lever, spring, andcatch, and in connection therewith a cam for releasing the catch andmechanism for receiving the thrust of the spring and applying it in thepropulsion of the drive-pulley, substantially as and for the purposesdescribed.

In testimony whereof I sign this specification in the presence of twowitnesses.

FRANZ REINIZIOLD. Witnesses:

S. E. THOMAS, WILL. M. PORTER.

